Tissue container with auxiliary compartment

ABSTRACT

A tissue container comprising a tissue receiving enclosure and a re-closable opening for dispensing tissues there through, and an associated auxiliary compartment holding a preparation for use in conjunction with the tissues.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to tissue containers and todispensers, for dispensing tissues, towelettes and the like from suchcontainers. More particularly the invention is concerned with suchtissue containers and dispensers which readily offer use of anassociated preparation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In combination with using a tissue (e.g. facial, toilet or othertissues, towelettes, wipes, pads, bandages, etc.), whether of the dry ormoistened type, it is frequently advantageous to have a supply and meansfor conveniently accessing a preparation. A classic example is one inwhich a baby's diaper is being changed and it is desired to apply somesort of lotion or cream on the baby prior to diapering with a freshdiaper. On the other hand, the lotion may be used prior to using thetissue as in the case of the lotion being a cleansing preparation.

[0003] The term preparation or preparations hereinafter in thespecification and claims is used in its widest connotation and denotesany liquids or topicals such as ointments, oils, salves, moisturizers,anti-bacterial compositions, rubbing alcohol, perfumes, cleansers andthe like, powdered material for different uses e.g. hygienic, medical,cosmetic, cleaning, treating surfaces, etc.

[0004] Presently it is necessary to carry a separate container, such asa tube or a jar, of ointment along with the tissues. Thus, one mustcarry along and search for the ointment and deal with a situation ofhaving more than one item in use. This can be particularly important inthe situation when one is changing a baby's diaper in public. In such acase there are presently more items to carry, locate, use andpotentially forget and leave behind.

[0005] If the preparation and tissues are packaged in an integral orcomplementary manner, the entire activity is much more convenient andprecludes the possibility, for example, of leaving behind an ointmenttube at a diaper changing location. It also prevents the possibility offorgetting a preparation container behind.

[0006] While prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,457,434, 6,170,426 and5,509,593 disclose various types of tissue dispensers that include somesort of supplementary compartment, container or housing, thesedispensers are only designed for wetting a dry tissue or providing acompartment for wet as well as dry tissues. The auxiliary compartmentsare not amenable for holding a lotion to be applied before or afterusing the tissue.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,104 discloses an eyeglass cleaning stationincluding a compartmented housing containing a dispensing bottle ofliquid lens cleaning material and a dispensing box of disposable lenscleaning tissue.

[0008] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide atissue container with an auxiliary compartment, attached to or integralwith the container, for holding a preparation that is typically used inconjunction with the tissue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the present invention there is provided a tissuecontainer comprising a tissue receiving enclosure and a re-closableopening for dispensing tissues there through; and an associatedauxiliary compartment associated with the container, for holding apreparation for use in conjunction with the tissues. The auxiliarycompartment is attached to or integral with the container, or may beprovided loose within the tissue container.

[0010] By one embodiment, the dispenser comprises a tissue dispensingopening fitted with a re-closable first lid and a re-closable auxiliarycompartment.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention there is provided atissue dispenser for use with a tissue container, said dispenser isformed with a tissue dispensing opening and a receptacle constitutingthe auxiliary compartment; and a re-closable lid for closing thedispensing opening. According to particular embodiments, the auxiliarycompartment is re-closeable.

[0012] According to still a further aspect of the invention, there isprovided a compartment comprising a preparation for use in conjunctionwith a tissue, said compartment being an auxiliary compartment includedwith or attached to a tissue container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may becarried out in practice, some embodiments will now be described, by wayof non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

[0014] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a dispensing cover in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1A is an isometric view of the dispensing cover in a closedstate;

[0016]FIG. 1B is an isometric view, partially sectioned, with a tissuedispensing lid partially open;

[0017]FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the dispensing cover with thefirst lid in its open state;

[0018]FIG. 1D is an isometric view with the second lid in its openstate, the first lid being closed;

[0019]FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a cylindric tissue containerfitted with a dispensing cover in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0020]FIG. 2B is a longitudinal section along lines II-II in FIG. 2A;

[0021]FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a cylindric tissue container inaccordance with a different embodiment of the invention;

[0022]FIG. 3B is a longitudinal section along lines III-III in FIG. 3A;

[0023]FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a top portion of a cylindrictissue container in accordance with still another embodiment of theinvention, with the lid partially opened;

[0024]FIG. 4B is a section of a top portion of the container illustratedin FIG. 4A in the same respective position of the lid;

[0025]FIG. 5A is an isometric view of a soft-packed tissue containerfitted with a dispensing cover in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, the dispensing lid in its open state;

[0026]FIG. 5B is a section of a top portion of the container in FIG. 5Awith the lid in its closed state;

[0027]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a dispensing cover in its openstate illustrating a modification of the embodiment seen in FIG. 5A;

[0028]FIG. 7 is an isometric view illustrating a dispensing cover inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 8A is a top isometric view of a dispensing cover for use witha tissue container in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0030]FIG. 8B is a section along lines VIII-VIII in FIG. 8A; and

[0031]FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating a further modification of thedispensing cover in FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1A-1D illustrating a tissuedispensing cover generally designated 20 for use with a tissue container(not shown). It is appreciated that the cover 20 may be used with avariety of tissue containers, e.g. soft pack containers, rigid boxes,etc., and further, that the tissue dispensing opening within the covermay be a regular wide opening or be fitted with some tissue separatingmeans to facilitate dispensing one tissue at a time, as known, per se.

[0033] The cover 20 comprises a base portion 24 integral with orattached to the container (not shown) e.g., by an adhesive material,welding, etc. or by snap-type attachment, whereby a tissue dispensingopening of the cover extends opposite a corresponding opening formed inthe container.

[0034] The cover 20 comprises a tissue dispensing opening 28 (FIG. 1D)which until first used is normally sealed (as in FIGS. 1B and 1C), e.g.by a removable foil or by a breakable/tearable film of plastic material30 (FIGS. 1B and 1C), serving to retain moist within the tissuecontainer and also as a temper proof evidence.

[0035] The cover comprises a first lid 40 hingedly pivotted at 42 bymeans of an integral hinge to the base 24, and being displaceablebetween a closed position (FIG. 1A) and an open position (FIG. 1C). Thefirst lid 40 is fitted for sealing the tissue dispensing opening 28 toprevent moisture evaporation and in accordance with one particularembodiment, the first lid 40 is biased to snap into its open position,e.g. by means of an integral spring arrangement, or a silicon spring,etc. The first lid is retained in its closed position (FIG. 1A) by asnap-type latch arrangement 48.

[0036] Found within the first lid 40 there is an auxiliary compartmentdesignated 52 sealable by a second lid 54 hinged to the first lid 40 andfitted for snap engagement into the first lid by means of a laterallyprojecting latch 58 snapingly engageable with a corresponding recessformed in the first lid 40.

[0037] The auxiliary compartment 52 is fitted for receiving preparationsof different kinds e.g. a soothing paste or ointment for applying on ababy's buttocks, a skin comforting gel, a cleaning preparation, etc. Thesize and sealing means provided for said auxiliary compartment aredetermined, among others, by the nature of the composition receivedwithin the auxiliary compartment.

[0038] The arrangement is such that for dispensing a tissue, in dry ormoist state from the tissue container, the first lid 40 is opened bydepressing latch 48 allowing for easy withdrawal of a tissue, upon whichthe first lid may be closed. Then, if it is required to make use of thecomposition received within the auxiliary compartment, e.g. to apply asoothing cream over a baby's buttocks, the second lid 54 is openedproviding axis to the auxiliary compartment 52.

[0039] Turning now to FIGS. 2A and 2B there is illustrated a differentembodiment of a tissue container in accordance with the presentinvention generally designated 70, being a rigid cylindrical containerin which tissues are typically provided in a reel with pre-perforatedseparation between the tissues, as known per se. The container 70 isprovided with a dispensing cover 72 fitted with a dispensing slit 74(FIG. 2B) usually having an X-like shape fitted for extracting excessmoisture from the tissues and for ensuring separation of the tissuesfrom one another as a leading tissue is being extracted from thecontainer.

[0040] In accordance with the present embodiment, the cover 72 is formedwith an annular groove 78 constituting the auxiliary compartment andbeing sealed by a common lid 82 fitted for sealing engagement of thetissue dispensing opening and the auxiliary compartment 78.

[0041] As noted in FIG. 2B, the auxiliary compartment 78 has a U-likecross section which permit for easy access by a fingertip for scoopingan ointment or the like received within the auxiliary compartment 78 andensuring complete use of the ointment, to thus avoid waste of residualmaterial remaining in the auxiliary compartment.

[0042] It is appreciated that the lid 82 is fitted for sealingengagement with the cover 78 to thereby prevent leak of materialreceived within the auxiliary compartment and to prevent evaporation ofmoist received within the container 70.

[0043] The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B discloses acylindrical tissue container 88 holding a roll of moist tissuedispensable through a dispensing cover 92 fitted with a dispensingopening 94 sealingly closable by a lid 98 (FIG. 3B), as known per se.

[0044] Fitted at an opposite side of the container 88 (actually a bottombase thereof) there is an auxiliary compartment 100 in the form of adepression at a base of the container 88 for receiving a preparation andbeing sealable by a reclosable lid, e.g. foil 104 which is fitted withan adhesive parameter for resealing over a parameter portion 106 of thebase portion, as designated by dashed lines in FIG. 3A. For the sake ofconvenience, the foil 104 is fitted with a tab 108.

[0045] However, according to a modification (not shown) the auxiliarycompartment can also be an add-on type fitted for attachment at thebottom end of the container e.g. by snap engagement, adhering, etc.Furthermore, according to another embodiment (not shown) once the tissuecontainer becomes empty, the auxiliary compartment may be detachablefrom the container, for attaching to a fresh tissue container.

[0046] Turning now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated still anotherembodiment of a tissue container 120 which in the present embodiment isalso a cylindrical tissue container. The container is formed with atissue dispensing cover 122 formed with a tissue dispensing opening 124sealingly closable by a tissue dispensing lid 126. Formed at an upperportion of lid 126 there is formed an auxiliary compartment 128 sealableby a second lid 130 e.g. in the form of a sealable foil or a snap-typecover. In the present embodiment the tissue dispensing lid 126 isattached to the cover 122 by an integral hinge at 131.

[0047] The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B refers to a tissuecontainer 148 being a soft-pack type container, fitted with a rigiddispensing cover generally designated 150, fitted in turn with a lid 152which in FIG. 5A is open and in FIG. 5B is closed.

[0048] A dispensing opening formed in the container is in register witha dispensing opening in the dispensing cover 150 and is a priori sealedwith a removable foil 156 (not seen in FIG. 5B) which may be resealable.The dispensing opening 158 may be provided, as already mentioned before,with separation means (not shown) to facilitate removal of one tissue ata time, as known in the art.

[0049] Lid 152 is integrally hinged at 164 to the dispensing cover 150and is fitted with a lifting tab 166. Lid 152 is adapted for snapengagement with a latch 170 projecting within the dispensing opening158.

[0050] Lid 152 is formed with an auxiliary compartment 174 extendingfrom the inner face of the lid and being sealable, e.g. by means of aadhering foil 176 or by means of a reclosable lid, hinged or removable(not shown). The auxiliary compartment 174 may have a rectangularcross-section as seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B or else it may be compartmentedinto several sub-auxiliary compartments (not shown), each suchsub-compartment being independently sealable or resealable.

[0051] Where more than one auxiliary compartment is provided—differentcompositions may be received therein, e.g. different types ofpreparations, medicaments or cleaning agents, etc.

[0052] In FIG. 6 there is illustrated an embodiment similar to thatdisclosed in FIGS. 5A and 5B wherein the dispensing cover generallydesignated 177 comprises an auxiliary compartment 178 formed with aplurality of depressions 179 forming sub-compartments, each sealablewith a foil 180. The compartments may be sized to receive a quantity ofpreparation suitable for a single use wherein the foil would be aremovable seal or where the amount of preparation received in theauxiliary compartment be sufficient for more than one serving, then thefoil would be resealable.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 7 there is illustrated still a differentembodiment wherein the dispensing cover 181 is principally similar tothat illustrated in FIG. 5A with the difference that the auxiliarycompartment 182 formed in the first lid 184 comprises a second lid 186or a re-adherable foil, and where the auxiliary compartment 182 issuited for receiving a preparation.

[0054] Still another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B refers toa dispensing cover generally designated 194 of the general type asdisclosed in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6, where a tissue dispensinglid 198 is closable over the dispensing opening 201 (FIG. 8A),preferably in a sealing manner. Formed at an outside face of the tissuedispensing lid 198 there is formed an auxiliary compartment 202 sealableby means of a resealable foil 206. However, it is appreciated thatrather than a resealable foil there may be provided a reclosable lidattached to or integral from said lid 198.

[0055] Furthermore, rather than being a uniform auxiliary compartment,there may be several embodiments wherein the auxiliary compartment iscompartmented as illustrated for example in FIG. 9, wherein severalauxiliary compartments 211A to 212E, each individually sealed by a foilportion 214A to 214E, corresponding with the sub-compartments. Thesub-compartments 212A to 212E may have a U-like cross-section tofacilitate easy scooping therefrom.

[0056] Whilst some embodiments have been described and illustrated withreference to some drawings, the artisan will appreciate that manyvariations are possible which do not depart from the general scope ofthe invention, mutatis, mutandis.

1. A tissue container comprising a tissue receiving enclosure and are-closable opening for dispensing tissues there through, and anassociated auxiliary compartment, holding a preparation for use inconjunction with the tissues.
 2. A tissue container according to claim1, wherein the auxiliary compartment is attached to, integral with, orloosely received within the container.
 3. A tissue container accordingto claim 1, wherein the tissue receiving enclosure holds a plurality ofmoistened tissues and where the opening is fitted with a dispenser fordispensing one tissue at a time.
 4. A tissue container according toclaim 3, wherein the auxiliary compartment is integral with or attachedto the dispenser.
 5. A tissue container according to claim 4, whereinthe dispenser comprises a tissue dispensing opening fitted with are-closable first lid and a re-closable auxiliary compartment.
 6. Atissue container according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary compartmentis fitted with a re-closable second lid.
 7. A tissue container accordingto claim 6, wherein the second lid is pivotally hinged to the first lid.8. A tissue container according to claim 6, wherein the first lid andthe second lid are hinged to the dispenser about pivot hinges parallelyextending.
 9. A tissue container according to claim 8, wherein the firstlid and the second lid are hinged to the dispenser adjacent oppositeedges of the dispenser.
 10. A tissue container according to claim 5,wherein the auxiliary compartment is formed in said first lid and isclosable by a re-sealable foil.
 11. A tissue container according toclaim 5, wherein the auxiliary compartment is formed in said first lidand is re-closable by a detachable cover.
 12. A tissue containeraccording to claim 11, wherein the auxiliary compartment is formed at aninside face of the first lid.
 13. A tissue container according to claim11, wherein the auxiliary compartment is formed at an outside face ofthe first lid.
 14. A tissue container according to claim 1, furthercomprising a tissue dispenser formed with a tissue dispensing openingand a receptacle constituting the auxiliary compartment; and are-closable first lid for closing the dispensing opening, and theauxiliary compartment.
 15. A tissue container according to claim 14,wherein the auxiliary compartment is fitted with a second sealinglyre-closable second lid.
 16. A tissue container according to claim 14,wherein the tissue dispensing opening and the auxiliary compartment arecoaxial.
 17. A tissue container according to claim 14, wherein theauxiliary compartment is an annular groove.
 18. A tissue containeraccording to claim 14, wherein the container is cylindrical and has alongitudinal axis coaxial with the tissue dispensing opening and theauxiliary compartment.
 19. A tissue container according to claim 6,wherein one or both of the first lid and the second lid are biased tospring-open.
 20. A tissue container according to claim 6, wherein one orboth of the first lid and the second lid are fitted with a snap-typeclosing mechanism.
 21. A tissue container according to claim 5, whereinone or both of the tissue dispensing opening and the auxiliarycompartment are pre-sealed with a foil.
 22. A tissue container accordingto claim 1, wherein the auxiliary compartment comprises one or morereceptacles fitted to or formed at a bottom of the tissue container. 23.A tissue container according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliarycompartment is re-sealable by a foil adherable to boundaries of theauxiliary compartment.
 24. A tissue container according to claim 1,wherein the auxiliary compartment comprises several receptacles, eachreceptacle being independently closable.
 25. A tissue containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary compartment has afinger-scoopable cross-section.
 26. A tissue container according toclaim 1, wherein the auxiliary compartment is removably received withina tissue receiving enclosure of the container.
 27. A tissue containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the container is a soft-pack.
 28. A tissuecontainer according to claim 1, wherein the container is rigid.
 29. Atissue container according to claim 1, wherein the container isportable.
 30. A dispensing cover for a tissue container, said covercomprising a tissue dispensing opening and a receptacle constituting anauxiliary compartment; and a re-closable first lid for closing thedispensing opening.
 31. A dispenser cover according to claim 30, whereinthe auxiliary compartment is fitted with a sealingly re-closable secondlid.
 32. A dispenser cover according to claim 30, wherein a longitudinalaxis of the tissue dispensing opening and the auxiliary compartment iscoaxial with a longitudinal axis of the tissue container.
 33. Adispenser cover according to claim 31, wherein one or both of the firstlid and the second lid are biased to spring-open.
 34. A dispenser coveraccording to claim 31, wherein one or both of the first lid and thesecond lid are fitted with a snap-type closing mechanism
 35. A dispensercontainer according to claim 31, wherein one or both of the tissuedispensing opening and the auxiliary compartment are pre-sealed with afoil.
 36. A dispenser container according to claim 31, wherein theauxiliary compartment is re-sealable by a foil adherable to boundariesof the auxiliary compartment.
 37. A dispenser container according toclaim 31, wherein the auxiliary compartment comprises severalreceptacles, each receptacle being independently closable.
 38. Adispenser container according to claim 31, wherein the auxiliarycompartment has a finger-scoopable cross-section wherein the auxiliarycompartment has a finger-scoopable cross-section.
 39. A compartment forreceiving a preparation for use in conjunction with a tissue, saidcompartment being an auxiliary compartment included with or attached toa tissue container.
 40. A compartment according to claim 39, whereinsaid auxiliary compartment is integral with a tissue dispenser attachedto the container.
 41. A compartment according to claim 39, wherein saidauxiliary compartment is adhered to an outside face of the container.42. A compartment according to claim 39, wherein said auxiliarycompartment is receivable within a tissue receiving enclosure of thecontainer.
 43. A compartment according to claim 39, comprising a baseportion adapted for detachable engagement with a base portion of atissue container.
 44. A compartment according to claim 43, wherein saidbase portion is fitted for engagement with a base of a cylindricaltissue container.